How to Change a Comma to Dot in Excel

This updated guide examines How to Change a Comma to Dot in Excel and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1

Using the Find & Select Tool

1. Open the Excel spreadsheet you need to update. Whether it's on your desktop or in a folder, find the spreadsheet and double click on it to open it.
2. Click on theFind & Selectbutton. This button can be found in the top right corner of the screen. It will say 'Find & Select' and it will be represented by a magnifying glass or binoculars, depending on the version of Excel you're using.
3. ClickReplacefrom the menu. A menu will appear and Replace will be the second option down, just to the left of an icon featuring an arrow between the letters 'b' and 'c.'
4. Fill out the fields. A window will open with two fields: 'Find what' and 'Replace with.' In the 'Find what' field, type in a comma. In the 'Replace with' field, type in a period/dot.
5. ClickReplace All. Clicking this option will replace every comma in the document with a period/dot.

Method 2

Changing Number Separators

1. Open the Excel spreadsheet you need to update. Whether it's on your desktop or in a folder, find the spreadsheet and double click on it to open it.
2. ClickFilein the top left corner. The File button is always the first option in the top menu of a Microsoft Office document. You can find it in the top left corner of the window.
3. ClickOptionsin the bottom left corner. The menu along the left side of the screen will be green. At the very bottom of this menu, in the bottom left corner of the menu, you will see Options .
4. ClickAdvancedin the menu on the left. A window of Excel Options will pop up that has another menu along the left side. You can find the Advanced option just beneath Ease of Access .
5. Uncheck theUse system separatorsbox. You can find this option near the bottom of the Editing options section. The box should be checked by default. Click on the check mark so that it disappears, and the box is unchecked.
6. Update theDecimal separatorandThousands separatorfields as necessary. Depending on what your defaults are, one of these fields should have a comma in it. Replace it with a period/dot and click 'OK' at the bottom of the window to complete the change.